subject of Southern affairs, you will excuse the
liberty I take in saying, that I do not think measures sufficiently
vigorous are pursuing for our defense in that quarter. Except the
few regular troops of South-Carolina, we seem to be relying wholly
on the militia of that and two neighboring States. These will soon
grow impatient of service, and leave our affairs in a miserable
situation. No considerable force can be uniformly kept up by
militia, to say nothing of the many obvious and well-known
inconveniences that attend this kind of troops. I would beg leave
to suggest, sir, that no time ought to be lost in making a draft of
militia to serve a twelve-month, from the States of North and
South-Carolina and Virginia. But South-Carolina, being very weak in
her population of whites, may be excused from the draft, on
condition of furnishing the black battalions. The two others may
furnish about three thousand five hundred men, and be exempted, on
that account, from sending any succors to this army. The States to
the northward of Virginia will be fully able to give competent
supplies to the army here; and it will require all the force and
exertions of the three States I have mentioned to withstand the
storm which has arisen, and is increasing in the South.

'The troops drafted must be thrown into battalions, and officered
in the best possible manner. The best supernumerary officers may be
made use of as far as they will go. If arms are wanted for their
troops, and no better way of supplying them is to be found, we
should endeavor to levy a contribution of arms upon the militia at
large. Extraordinary exigencies demand extraordinary means. I fear
this Southern business will become a very _grave_ one.

'With the truest respect and esteem,
I am, sir, your most obedient servant,
ALEXANDER HAMILTON.

'His Excellency, JOHN JAY,
President of Congress,'

The project was warmly approved by Major-General Greene, and Laurens
himself, who proposed to lead the blacks, was enthusiastic in his hopes.
In a letter written about this time, he says:

'It appears to me that I should be inexcusable in the light of a
citizen, if I did not continue my utmost efforts for carrying the
plan of the black levies into execution, while ther